Firmware

From Hyrel3D
Jump to: navigation, search

New software will often require new firmware. New software packages always come with the latest firmware at the time the software was released; however, sometimes newer firmware is available.

There are two families of firmware; one for the Heads and Beds, or STM-103 boards, and another for the Motion Controllers, or STM-427 / STM-407 boards.

These steps are performed in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qbUzZM3vtg

Motion Controllers

To find out what version of Motion Controller Firmware you are on now:

For v3:

Rep mc version info.png

For v4:

Rep mc version info v4.png

Legend: RED text shows the version of SOFTWARE.
BLUE text shows the version of FIRMWARE.
MAGENTA text shows the COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL - USB or UART with port number.

Motion Controller Switches

Your motion controller (green STM407 on ESR and 30M printers, or blue STM32 on Hydra and EHR printers) has two switches.

The BOOT CONFIG switch can be set to SYSTEM (usually up or left - sometimes needed for flashing firmware) or FLASH (usually down or right). It should be set to FLASH for normal operations.

The unlabeled power switch can be set to USB (usually left or down - you should not need to use this setting) or 5Vin. It should be set to 5Vin for normal operations.

Note the RESET button, shown here above the USB connector and the LED. You need to RESET after changing any switch positions. All current printers also have a RESET button on the outside or inside of the chassis.

Images:

407 switches.jpg 429 switches.jpg

Motion Controller Firmware

For the STM-429 and STM-407 Boards.

Video instructions for flashing the 407 and 429 (Motion) Controllers: https://youtu.be/cFAFRkpLmww

Note that all units shipped since 2015 are internally cabled to automatically connect for flashing, so there should be no need to remove the rear cover or connect special cables.

You should always use the latest version of the release you are on, and we recommend that you upgrade to the most recent release (but this is not required).

  1. Launch Repetrel ( C:\Repetrel\bin\Repetrel.exe ).
  2. Go to File > Update Firmware > Motion Controller
  3. Select the latest .dfu file for your machine from the table below.
  4. Your printer should show as "CONNECTED" in the firmware utility. If it is not:
    1. TRY THE STEPS BELOW before messing with switches and cables, please!
  5. Click "Program" - the process takes a few seconds.
  6. IF you had to change the switch, change it back and reset the motion controller.
  7. You are done.

But I can't Connect!

Okay, sometimes the new Repetrel doesn't properly "connect" to allow motion controller firmware update. The following steps work 90+% of the time, and you don't have to move cables around (so it's great when we're updating remotely). I don't know why it works, but trust me, most of the time it does:

  1. Exit Repetrel, Slic3r, and any related programs
  2. Rename C:\Repetrel to C:\Repetrel_new
  3. Rename C:\Repetrel_old to C:\Repetrel (You DID rename the old one before the upgrade, yes?)
  4. Launch (the old) Repetrel
  5. File > Update Firmware > Motin Controller
  6. Click "Select File" and then:
  7. Navigate up to C: and then down to C:\Repetrel_new\bin\firmware and select the new .dfu file
  8. The programming utility should now show "CONNECTED"
  9. Click "Program" - you'll see a progress bar below the Program and Select File buttons when it starts
  10. When complete, the window closes
  11. Exit Repetrel
  12. Rename C:\Repetrel to C:\Repetrel_old
  13. Rename C:\Repetrel_new to C:\Repetrel
  14. Launch (the new) Repetrel; you may need to change ports under Interface > COM and click Apply, then click PING
  15. Profit!!

LATEST UPDATE

So, which printers run which firmware? Great question! Supply chain issues over the last few years have forced us to change a lot of things.

AS ALWAYs, please use the version of firmware that your unit shipped with if you are still running the version of Repetrel that your unit shipped with - or the latest appropriate firmware which was included with your download. With all the chip shortages, we are constantly rewriting code so that one set of firmware will work on the greatest variety of our printers, but it's a complicated process and it's not done yet. Hopefully this will be finalized with Repetrel v5 in Q1 of 2023.

As of November, 2023:

What *.dfu file should I use?
If you are using: ESR/30M, 2013-2020 EHR/16A, 2016-2020 ANY, 2021-2022 ANY, 2023+
Then your Motor Drivers
should look like this:
Fw stamps.png
Hyrel Motor Stamp
(mounted on spine)
Fw encoders.png
Encoder Boxes
(mounted near TIB)
Fw canbus.jpg
CANBUS Boards
(mounted on motors)
Fw canbus.jpg
CANBUS Boards
(mounted on motors)
And your Motion Controller
should look like this:
Fw 407.png
407 mounted on Spine
Fw 429.png
429 mounted on TIB
Fw 429.png
429 mounted on TIB
Fw X11.4.png
X10, X11 Boards mounted on TIB
You need firmware: EngineSR_30M_4.203c.dfu EngineHR_Hydra_4.203c.dfu
or
Hydra_With_CanMotors_4.500C.dfu
(or newer)
Hydra_With_CanMotors_4.500C.dfu
(or newer)
Hydra_SR_HR_22_4.501c.dfu


Note: If, for some reason, you are flashing firmware on the 429 board when it is NOT MOUNTED on the Tablet Interface Board, it may not work unless you (carefully!) attach a jumper between the PB2 and GND pins. Something about a floating pin.

429 jumper.png

Motion Controller Values

Let's not confuse flashing a version of firmware on the motion controller with flashing new default values to the motion controller - again, not my terms.

We should always be sure that we're running not only with the correct version of the motion controller firmware, but that the values for the present model of equipment are being used. In Repetrel, under Settings > Printer, a dialog box will open with lots of numbers you may want to play with. Please don't change any values unless you're sure that they will do something that you want. We have default files for each model, and some users will want to save custom settings - like different park positions for different beds, or different maximum print speeds and acceleration parameters for more heavily outfitted yoke assemblies.

There is a utility to read and write configuration files on every PC running Repetrel v3 at C:\repetrel\Printer Settings, and you should run on (or at least start with) the configuration file for your model printer.

Please resist the urge to go tampering here without talking to us. There's probably a better way to achieve your desired end results.

Heads and Beds (STM103 boards)

To find out what version(s) of Head/Bed Firmware you are on now:

V2 vs V3 vs V4

Why is my head FLASHING RED?

Non-Hydra units shipping through spring 2017 shiped with Repetrel version 2.x, and should be on the last version 2 release.

Hydra units, and other units shipping through spring 2019 shipped with version 3.x, and should be on the last version 3 release.

All units shipping after spring 2019 ship with version 4.x, and should be on the last version 4 release.

Please use the files in your C:\Repetrel\bin\firmware directory, since it is "paired" with your Repetrel version.

All units should be upgraded to the latest version when it is available. If you run a head with v2 settings on a v3 or later install, the background will FLASH RED; this DOES NOT mean that you need to flash new FIRMWARE - this DOES mean that you need to flash new VALUES to the head. Please make the changes noted for each head and right-click-flash these values on your heads:

  1. For Cold and Warm Flow (EMO, SDS, VOL, KRA, TAM, etc).
  2. For Hot flow (MK*).
  3. For the HotBed Controller, just define it as a print head, set the pulses to 10, redefine it as a hotbed, and flash these settings. Contact us for help.

Head bed version info v4.png

Head / Bed Firmware

For the STM-103 Boards. Consult the table below for the proper version. The wrong version WILL NOT WORK.

These files are included in the latest Repetrel download, and the latest Repetrel\bin directory download.

Video instructions for flashing the 103 (HH/HB) Controllers: https://youtu.be/yM8QMZBTb4o

  1. Launch Repetrel ( C:\Repetrel\bin\Repetrel.exe ).
  2. Go to File > Update Firmware > HotHead Controller (even for HotBeds).
  3. Navigate to the proper .hex file for your machine from the table below.
  4. Connect the ST-Link as shown in the video above.
  5. Click "Program" - the process takes a few seconds.
  6. You are mostly done - you still need to update the settings on each head and the hotbed, but that's easy now - see below.
Firmware Listing for Repetrel v4
Thankfully, this is now very simple:
All Heads Firmware
ALL HEADS Heads_Beds_103_4.053c.hex
Firmware Listing for Repetrel v2 and v3
Karl doesn't like me renaming these files, so...
Filament Heads Firmware
MK1-250 MK1_2_PRTDClearWires_1A.hex
MK1-250 with red RTDs (from pre-2015) _FIL_250_RED_235A.hex
MK2-250 MK1_2_PRTDClearWires_1A.hex
MK1-450 MK450_Caution_450C_45A.hex
Emulsion-Type Heads Firmware
ALL Emulsion-Type Heads Emo_Vol_Kra_Cod.52V.hex
Laser Heads and UV Pens Firmware
Diode Lasers on Repetrel v2.xs Laser_Diode_Shark_6N.hex
Diode and CO2 Lasers on Repetrel v3.x LaserPWM_8L.hex
Spindle Tools Firmware
Spindle Tools, Three-Phase 3phase_Spindle_238M.hex
Spindle Tools, Single-Phase DrillMill_236M_DC_SPINDLE.hex
Inkjet Heads Firmware
Inkjet Headss (Heat- and Piezo- based) LaserPWM_8L.hex

Head / Bed Settings

Note: For CO2 Lasers, Your acutal laser controller, on the Aux Heads tab, should be set to "Laser_40".
Note: For CO2 Lasers, Your safety/mirror/lens controller, on the Heads 1-5 tab, should be set to "CO2_Laser"

Let's not confuse flashing a version of firmware on a head with flashing new default values to a head. I know - I didn't come up with the terms.

This also used to be a lot of info to change, but now we have made it easier!

Right-click on the head (anywhere EXCEPT the "FLASH" button) and open the proper file for your head or bed:

Loadfromfile1.png

And select the file for the device for which you wish to load the settings:

Loadfromfile2.png

As with all settings, to store them as defaults, go to the last page and right-click FLASH:

Rcflash1.png

And then click YES:

Rcflash2.png

Old method:

Once your head has the proper firmware version running on it, you want to be sure that the values for the head are correct. Please consult the pages for Reservoir_Heads and Filament_Heads for our recommended values, then adjust for your custom environment as needed, determined through trial and observation.

To change the values, click on the arrow at the top right (next page) or the temperature display area at the top left (previous page) of the displayed data for that head. Edit values as appropriate, and then on the last page, RIGHT-CLICK on the Flash button and then confirm that you want to overwrite the previous defaults with these values, then click Yes on the confirmation dialog box.

Headdata mk1-250.png

For our purposes, the hotbed and a printhead are controlled in the same manner.